Remote, wireless electrical signal measurement device

ABSTRACT

A remote, wireless electrical signal measurement device for measuring and adjusting a component in a communications system. The device includes a source device, a remote system and a base system. The device permits a technician wearing the remote system to control through verbal commands the measurement and adjustment of a source device operably attached to the base system.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/266,318, filedMar. 11, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,313 and entitled Remote, WirelessElectrical Signal Measurement Device and currently pending, which is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/927,465, filed Sep. 11, 1997 havingthe same title and presently pending, and based on provisionalapplication Serial No. 60/118,108, filed Feb. 1, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a wireless control system formeasuring or adjusting the characteristics of electrical signals. Moreparticularly, present invention relates to a wireless, hands-freecontrol system for remote measurement and adjustment of electricalsignals in a telecommunications system.

In various areas in the telecommunications field it is necessary to useradio frequency (RF) signal level meters to evaluate and monitor theperformance of equipment in a telecommunications network. Signal levelmeters typically include a display or meter movement. These devices aretypically operated by some form of mechanical switching; e.g.,keyboards, buttons, knobs, or the like.

Signal level meters are typically carried to the location where it isdesired to use the device. Once in place the operator controls themechanical switching components by hand.

The size and weight of the signal level meters impede the use of suchdevices in certain applications. For example, carrying the signal levelmeter to the top of an antenna that extends several hundred feet intothe air greatly increases the physical exertion of the servicetechnician. The service technician must also use his or her hands totransport the signal level meter while ascending and descending theantenna. This situation creates a safety hazard because the servicetechnician is not able to use both hands while climbing to protectagainst accidental fall. Once in position to perform the service, it isnecessary for the service technician to manipulate the controls usinghis or her hands. Such a situation also raises the likelihood that theservice technician will experience an accidental fall.

To alleviate the need to transport the signal level meter to thelocation where the telecommunication adjustment or measurement occurs, aprocess has been developed where a first service technician climbs theantenna with a cordless communication device such as is commonly calleda walkie-talkie. A second service technician, who is in communicationwith the first service technician using a cordless communication device,remains on the ground proximate the signal level meter. Adjustment andmeasurement of the telecommunication signal is performed by theinteraction of the two service technicians.

Fournier et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,158, discloses an apparatus for usein conjunction with motor vehicle emission control systems testing. TheFournier et al. apparatus includes a base unit that is connected to anautomobile to measure the idle speed and exhaust constituents. The baseunit is linked to a remote unit worn by a technician. The remote unitincludes a display, a microphone and a speaker. The Fournier et al.apparatus allows the technician to move around the automobile with theperformance of the vehicles emission control systems is evaluated.

Newman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,244, discloses a self-containedportable computer that is worn by a person. The computer includes amicrophone, earphones and a display that is mounted proximate to theuser's eye. The Newman et al. computer includes voice recognition forcontrolling the operation of the computer with voice commands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a remote, wireless, electrical signalmeasurement device for measuring and adjusting components in acommunications system. The device includes a source device, a base unitand a remote unit.

The source device is capable of generating a data output and receiving adata input. The base system is operably connected to the source device.The base system includes an interface unit, a modulator, a firstantenna, and a receiver/demodulator. The interface unit interprets thedata output and the data input. The modulator formats the interpretedoutput data into a first data signal. The first antenna transmits thefirst data signal and receives a second data signal. Thereceiver/demodulator formats the second data signal to the input signal.

The remote system includes a second antenna, a secondreceiver/demodulator, a speaker, a body mounted display, a microphone,and a second modulator. The second antenna transmits the second datasignal and receives the first data signal. The secondreceiver/demodulator formats the first data signal to a demodulatedsignal. The speaker emits an audio portion of the demodulated signal.

The body mounted display displays a video portion of the demodulatedsignal. The microphone generates an outgoing signal for controlling themeasurement and adjustment of the source device. The second modulatorformats the outgoing signal to the second data signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a control system of the present inventionused in conjunction with a technician on an antenna.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the control system used in conjunctionwith a cable television network.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a remote unit of the control system.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a display portion of the remote unit.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of an alternative embodiment of a head pieceportion of the remote unit.

FIGS. 6A-6C are pictorial views of a chest mounted display embodiment ofthe remote unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the circuitry for the hands free electricalsignal measuring device according to the invention.

FIGS. 8A-D are flow diagrams of the speech recognition command controlprocess implemented on the electrical signal measuring device of theinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a portion of the speech recognition commandcontrol process implemented on the electrical signal measuring device ofthe invention.

FIGS. 10A-10P show the relationship of the various icons, activities,displays and spoken commands of the main display screen of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a wireless, hands-free control device as mostclearly illustrated in FIG. 1. The control device 10 generally includesa remote unit 12 and a base unit 14 that are operably connected with awireless link 16. The remote unit 12, which is worn by a servicetechnician 20, communicates with the base unit 14, which is linked to asource device 18, which includes monitoring equipment of types known topersons having skill in the art.

The control device 10 enables a single service technician 20 to measureand adjust characteristics of a telecommunications system that includesa relatively tall antenna 22 such as one that extends several hundredfeet above a ground surface 24 to which the antenna 22 is mounted. Thecontrol device 10 permits the service technician 20 to perform theseoperations using the remote unit 12 while positioned on the antenna 22 asignificant distance above the ground surface 24 where the base unit 14and other monitoring equipment 18 is located. It is also possible toutilize the concepts of the present invention in other types ofcommunications networks such as adjusting repeaters or amplifiers 26 incable television distribution lines 28, such as is illustrated in FIG.2.

The control device 10 further allows the technician 20 to control themeasurement and adjustment process through verbal commands. As such, thetechnician's hands are available to perform adjustment operations aswell as to stabilize the technician 20 during the measurement andadjustment processes.

The remote unit 12 preferably includes a hard hat 30, of the typegenerally worn by technicians in the field, that is fitted with amicrophone 32 and a head phone (or alternatively an earphone) 34 ofconventional design, such as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The remote unit12 also includes a display device 36 mounted to the hard hat 30. Thedisplay device 36 is preferably manufactured using liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), light emitting diode display (LED), cathode ray tubedisplay (CRT), plasma display, phosphor on gate array, or other suitabledisplay technology.

When viewing the display device 36, the technician 20 sees an image of acomputer display screen, such as is shown in FIG. 4. The technician 20may activate various commands to perform a measurement or adjustment byspoken words that are converted to electrical signals by the microphone32 and transmitted by a cable 38 to the remote unit 12, such as isillustrated in FIG. 3.

Since the control device 10 is configured to permit measurement andadjustment of the telecommunications system to be controlled throughverbal commands, the remote unit 12 includes only a minimum of controls,such as an on/off power switch 42. The remote unit 12 may also include acursor control 44 for manually controlling a displayed pointing cursor.The cursor control 44 may be used as backup to the speech commands.

The remote unit 12 includes a CPU and supporting chip set and otherchips specific to the signal level meter speech recognition andsynthesis functions. Power for the remote unit 12 is preferably providedthrough a battery (not shown) that is mounted internal to the remoteunit 12. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that itis also possible to use a separate battery unit (not shown). In suchSystems, the separate battery unit (not shown) is preferably attached tothe technician's belt and connected to the remote unit 12 by a powercable (not shown).

The remote unit 12 preferably includes an antenna 48 that at leastpartially extends outside the remote unit 12. A person of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that the type and size of antenna 48 usedwith the remote unit 12 is selected based on a distance between theremote unit 12 and the base unit 14.

The base unit 14 includes a CPU and supporting chip set. The base unit14 is connected to the source unit, or monitoring equipment, 18 by acable 49 that enables the technician to take additional measurements ofthe communications network proximate to where the adjustments are made.

The base unit 14 also includes an antenna 52 for communicating with theremote unit 12. The base unit 14 may also include a serial connector 50that provides an interface to a desktop computer or other datacollection system to allow down loading of data from the signal levelmeter to a central database and up loading of software upgrades.

The microphone 32, the head phone 34, and the display 36 may also beintegrated into a headpiece 54, such as is illustrated in FIG. 5, ratherthan being attached to a hard hat 30. This configuration is particularlydesirable in those applications where hard hats are not required, suchas in telecommunications closets or the like.

Depending on the amount of information that is intended to be displayedon the display, it may be desirable to make the display from a largersize such that the technician may more readily ascertain the detailswhen measuring and adjusting the telecommunications system. For thesesituations, a display 60 is preferably incorporated into a chest-mountedunit 62, as most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

The display 60 is mounted in a fabric case 64 attached to a harness 66worn by the technician 20. The harness 66 preferably includes shoulderstraps 68 and a belt strap 70. The harness 66 is attached to theshoulder straps 68 and to one end of the belt strap 70. The ends of thebelt strap 70 are provided with buckle 72, which allows the technician20 to easily put on and remove the chest-mounted unit 62.

The case 64 is preferably provided with a fabric accordian 74 onopposite sides of the display 60. The accordian 74 allows the display 60to be pivoted to a comfortable viewing position. When not in use, thedisplay 60 is preferably folded against the technician's chest and heldby hook-and-loop fasteners (not shown) or similar such fasteners.

When the display 60 is used in the chest-mounted configuration, amicrophone 80 and speaker 82 are preferably integrated into a bezel 84that surrounds the display 60, as most clearly illustrated in FIG. 6C.This configuration thereby enables the control system 10 to be used withthe technician attaching any components to his or her head.

Communication between the remote unit 12 and the base unit 14 ispreferably accomplished through a duplexed communication system, such asis illustrated in FIG. 7. Communications between the remote unit 12 andthe base unit 14 are routed through an antenna duplexer 204, which ispreferably capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting. Theantenna duplexer 204 routes an incoming RF signal through areceiver/demodulator 206 that converts the RF signal into an electricalsignal. The receiver/demodulator 206 also separates the audio portion ofthe incoming RF signal from the video portion of the incoming RF signal.

The audio portion of the signal is routed to an amplifier 208 and then aspeaker 210. The video portion of the signal is routed to a displayadapter 212 and then to a display 214.

Speech commands from the user are received by a microphone 220 and thenrouted to a modulator 222. User input commands 224 such as through thecursor control 44 are also routed to the modulator 222. The modulator222 converts the speech and user input commands into an RF signal, whichis then routed to the antenna duplexer 204.

The RF signal is then transmitted to an antenna duplexer 230 in the baseunit 14. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatthere are other techniques for conducting wireless communication betweenthe remote unit 12 and the base unit 14, such as infrared and lasers.

The antenna duplexer routes the incoming RF signal to areceiver/demodulator 232, which converts the RF signal into anelectrical signal. The electrical signal is routed to an interface unit234. The interface unit 234 is operably linked to a voice recognitionunit 236 that translates the words spoken by the user into commands thatcontrol the operation of the measurement and adjustment process.

The interface unit 234 is also linked to a source device 238 whosesignal is used for the measurement and adjustment process. The interfaceunit 238 includes a port (not shown) that allows the interface unit 234to readily connect with the source device 238. Examples of suitableports are an RS 232 connector or a general purpose interface bus.

Depending on the type of data provided by the source device 238, it maybe necessary for the interface unit 234 to also include protocolconversion software 240 to convert the data received from the sourcedevice 238 into a format that can be used by the control system of thepresent invention.

The interface unit 234 analyzes the data received from the source device238 and the voice recognition device 236 and prepares video and audiosignals. The signals are directed to a modulator 242 where the signalsare converted to an outgoing RF signal. The outgoing RF signal is routedto the antenna duplexer 230 for transmission to the remote unit 12.

It will be appreciated that the architecture of the remote system unit12 and the base unit 14 are preferably quite similar to that of apersonal computer, either a desktop or a lap top personal computer. Thisconfiguration allows the use of industry standard components andtherefore, economies of manufacture. The remote system unit 12 may alsocontain a serial port for directly programming the remote system unit12.

An example of a suitable speech recognition chip for use with thepresent invention is the Interactive Speech model RSC-164 generalpurpose microcontroller incorporating speech recognition and speechsynthesis. This chip may be obtained from Sensory, Inc., of Sunnyvale,Calif.

The on-chip speech recognition algorithms implemented in the RSC-164chip reach an accuracy of greater than 96% for speaker-dependentrecognition. Speaker-independent recognition requires on-chip oroff-chip ROM to store the words to be recognized. The RSC-164 chip hasboth continuous listening and consecutive entry modes of operation.Continuous listening allows the chip to continuously listen for aspecific word. In this mode, the electrical signal measurement device“activates” when a specific word, preceded by quiet, is spoken. Incontinuous entry mode, the chip handles several speech inputs insuccession as long as each input is surrounded by one-half second ofquiet.

The electrical signal measuring device according to this invention iscontrolled by means of spoken words using speech recognition systemrunning on the CPU supported by the speech recognition and speechsynthesis chip. The speech recognition and speech synthesis chip used inthe system unit according to a preferred embodiment of the inventionsupport three speakers, with provision for adding an additional speakerafter first deleting a current speaker.

In use, there are a few speaker independent commands and several speakerdependent commands that are recognized by the speech recognitionsoftware. The software is activated by the speaker's speech and respondsto the spoken words “one”, “two” and “three” to activate the speakerdependent recognition routines for the first, second and third speaker,respectively. The actual spoken words, menu structure and trainingroutines are custom written and compiled for the specific application.Additionally, user feedback/enunciation in the form of speech synthesisare provided by the speech recognition and speech synthesis chip.

The basic flow diagram for the speech recognition control is shown inFIGS. 8A-D. In this diagram, the user's spoken words are shown in dottedline boxes and computer implemented software functions are shown insolid line boxes. The software-implemented actions taken in response tospoken words are set out in tables below.

During the power on sequence in function block 300, a test is made indecision block 302 to determine if the speech recognition is allowed. Ifnot, the system is enabled for manual operation only in function block304. However, assuming that speech recognition is allowed, a furthertest is made in decision block 306 to determine if speech recognitionwas active at power off. If speech recognition is not enabled, thesystem is enabled for manual operation in function block 308 and, infunction block 310, the speaker independent speech command function isenabled. The system then awaits the detection of the user's speech.

When the user speaks, the system prompts the user in function block 312to identify him or herself as one of a predetermined number of speakersthis particular instrument will recognize. In a specific implementation,the speech recognition has the capability to recognize the speech ofthree different users. These three users may identify themselves by, forexample, speaking the words “one”, “two” or “three”.

After prompting the user, the system awaits identification of the userby spoken words “one”, “two” or “three”. Once the user has identifiedhim or herself, a test is made in decision block 314 to determine ifthere is a word match. If no match is detected, the process loops backto function block 308 where the system remains enabled in the manualoperation mode. When a word match is detected, a further test is made indecision block 316 to determine if there is user confirmation; that is,does the spoken word “one”, “two” or “three” match the user speakingthat word. If a word match is not detected, the process loops back tofunction block 308 where the system remains enabled in the manualoperation mode. When user confirmation is obtained, the system enablesthe speech recognition routines for the selected user in function block318. At this point, the speech recognition mode as well as the manual ofoperation mode are enabled for the selected user in function block 320,and the system enters the operational level word line generally denotedby the heavy line 322.

Returning to decision block 306, if speech recognition was active atpower off, a further test is made in decision block 324 to determine ifthe system was set for a default user. If system was not set for thedefault user, the process goes to function block 308 to identify thecurrent user. If the system had been set for a default user, the speechrecognition for the default user is enabled in function block 326, andthe system enters the operational level word line 322, thus avoiding theneed to identify the user with each power on.

As mentioned earlier, manual operation is basically a back up to thespeech recognition mode of operation. Generally, manual operation isconventional using the cursor control 44 (FIG. 3) to move a displayedcursor and select a command or function by depressing the cursorcontrol. In a specific implementation of the invention, there may be thesame or more commands and functions that are selected manually asselected in speech recognition operation, but the important novelfeatures of the invention are in the speech recognition mode ofoperation. Since the manual operation is conventional, no furtherdescription is necessary for those skilled in the art to practice thataspect of the invention.

There are several commands or functions controlled by speaker dependentcommands. These commands are shown in FIGS. 8A-8D and FIG. 9 and set outin more detail in tabular form below. The first of these that will bediscussed is the TUNE function that is activated by the spoken word“tune”. As seen in Table 1 below and with reference to FIG. 8A, the tunecommand is laid out in a manner analogous to a pull down or fly out menuon a display screen, except that activation of the various functions andselections of operations in the “menu” is done by spoken command ratherthan selection by a pointing cursor controlled by the cursor control 44(similar to a mouse or track ball). It will be appreciated, however,that each of these commands may be selected using the pointing cursor.

In the command menu for the TUNE function as show in FIG. 8C and Table1, the system recognizes the spoken commands “up” and “down” to controlthe direction of cursor movement and increase or decrease the frequencybeing tuned. These spoken commands are augmented by the spoken commands“step”, “jump” and “scan”. The scan operation is stopped by the spokenword “stop”. Other commands recognized are “low”, “center” and “high”for cursor movement. There is also a “help” command that results in thedisplay of a help screen about the TUNE function. Clearing of the helpscreen is accomplished by the spoken command “back”. Note that a returnto the top level word line 322 is made in response to the spoken command“back”.

TABLE 1 Tune Function Commands Command Function TUNE Activate tune modeLOW Move cursor to first channel of channel plan, scroll if neededCENTER Move cursor to mid channel of channel plan, scroll if needed HIGHMove cursor to last channel of channel plan, scroll if needed UP Setdirection of cursor movement, increase frequency DOWN Set direction ofcursor movement, decrease frequency JUMP Move cursor in set direction by10 channels, refresh STEP Move cursor in set direction by 1 channel,refresh SCAN Enable scan mode in set direction, scroll if needed STOPDisable scan mode, cursor at stop location BACK Deactivate tune mode,clear help screen HELP On screen help about tune mode

The next function is ZOOM. The spoken command hierarchy for thisfunction is shown in FIG. 8C and set out in Table 2 below. The spokencommands recognized in support of this function include “in” and “out”for respectively expanding and compressing the direction of zoom. Thesecommands are augmented by the commands “step”, “jump” and “full”. Afurther command, “hyper”, causes the system to enter a hyper mode andreplaces a sweep mode in function block 330. In response to the spokencommand “sweep”, the hyper mode is disabled and sweep mode is replacedby the zoom mode in function block 332. A “help” command results in thedisplay of a help screen about the ZOOM function. Clearing of the helpscreen is accomplished by the spoken command “back”. A return to the toplevel word line 322 is made in response to the spoken command “back”.

TABLE 2 Zoom Function Commands Command Function ZOOM Activate zoom modeIN Set direction of zoom, expand OUT Set direction of zoom, compressFULL Display max channels when “out”, single channel when “in” STEP Zoomin/out by 1 zoom increment, refresh display JUMP Zoom in/out by 5 zoomincrements, refresh display HYPER Enable hyper, return to top level,replace “zoom” with “sweep” BACK Deactivate zoom mode HELP On screenhelp about zoom mode SWEEP Disable hyper mode, replace “sweep” with“zoom”, return to top level

The next function is SCALE as shown in FIG. 8C and in the followingTable 3. The “manual” scale range is enabled by the spoken command“scale” in function block 334. In this mode, the user may speak thewords “up” and “down” to navigate the scale. In response to the spokencommand “auto”, the manual scale range is deactivated in function block336. A “help” command results in the display of a help screen about theSCALE function. Clearing of the help screen is accomplished by thespoken command “back”. A return to the top level word line 322 is madein response to the spoken command “back”.

TABLE 3 Scale Function Commands Command Function SCALE Activate manualscale mode UP Increment amplitude display up 1 division, refresh displayDOWN Increment amplitude display down 1 division, refresh display AUTODeactivate manual range, activate auto range, return to top level BACKHold manual setting, deactivate range mode, return to top level, clearhelp screen HELP On screen help about range mode

The next function is RANGE as shown in FIG. 8D and in the followingTable 4. The system responds to spoken range increments of “one”, “two”,“five” and “ten”. A “help” command results in the display of a helpscreen about the RANGE function. Clearing of the help screen isaccomplished by the spoken command “back”. Again, a return to the toplevel word line 322 is made in response to the spoken command “back”.

TABLE 4 Range Function Commands Command Function RANGE Activate rangemode ONE Set amplitude scale to 1 dB/div, refresh display TWO Setamplitude scale to 2 dB/div, refresh display FIVE Set amplitude scale to5 dB/div, refresh display TEN Set amplitude scale to 1 0 dB/div, refreshdisplay BACK Hold scale setting, deactivate scale mode, return to toplevel, clear help screen HELP On screen help about range mode

The next function is TEST POINT as shown in FIG. 8D and in the followingTable 5. The system responds to spoken navigation commands of “up”,“down” and “next”. A “help” command results in the display of a helpscreen about the TEST POINT function. Clearing of the help screen isaccomplished by the spoken word “back”. Again, a return to the top levelword line 322 is made in response to the spoken command “back”.

TABLE 5 Test Point Function Commands Command Function TEST POINTActivate test point mode UP Increment selected digit up DOWN Incrementselected digit down NEXT Select next digit to right, wrap around BACKSet test point offset, deactivate test point mode, return to top level,clear help screen HELP On screen help about test point mode

The next function is the comparative analysis display (CAD) as shown inFIG. 8B and the following Table 6. The system then responds to spokencommands of “tilt”, “hi-lo” and “max-min”. Again, a return to the toplevel word line is made in response to the spoken command “back”. Thespoken command “PV” branches to allow further navigation, in which casethe system responds to the spoken command of “high”, “low”, up “down”,“jump”, and “step”. A “help” command, which may be invoked in eitherbranch, results in the display of a help screen about the CAD function.Clearing of the help screen is accomplished by the spoken command“back”. The spoken command “back” to return to the top level word line322.

TABLE 6 CAD Function Commands Command Function CAD Activate comparativeanalysis display mode HI-LO Enable hi-lo display, disable tilt, max-min,p/v TILT Enable tilt display, disable hi-lo, max-min, p/v MAX-MIN Enablemax-min display, disable tilt, hi-lo, p/v P/V Enable p/v display,disable tilt, hi-lo, max-min HIGH Select upper horizontal cursor LOWSelect lower horizontal cursor UP Set direction of selected cursor to upDOWN Set direction of selected cursor to down STEP Move selected cursorin set direction by 1 pixel JUMP Move selected cursor in set directionby 10 pixels BACK Hold cursor positions, disable control, return to toplevel, clear help screen HELP On screen help about CAD or p/v mode

The next function is CNR (carrier to noise) as shown in FIG. 8D and inthe following Table 7. The system then responds to the commands “show”and “hide”, and in response to the spoken commands “show” and “hide”, abandwidth measurement is made in function block 340. A “help” commandresults in the display of a help screen about the CNR function. Clearingof the help screen is accomplished by the spoken command “back”. Areturn to the top level word line 322 is made in response the spokencommand “back”. Alternatively, branch is made in response to the spokenword “convert”, in which case the system responds to the spoken words“up”, “down” and “next” to navigate and, as in the first branch. A“help” command results in the display of a help screen about the CNRfunction. Clearing of the help screen is accomplished by the spokencommand “back”. To return to the top level word line 322, the userspeaks the command “back”.

TABLE 7 CNR Function Commands Command Function CNR Activate CNR mode,initiate measurement SHOW Enable display of bandwidth used inmeasurement HIDE Disable display of bandwidth used in measurementCONVERT Activate convert function UP Increment selected digit up, updateconverted figure DOWN Increment selected digit down, update convertedfigure NEXT Select next digit to right, wrap around BACK Deactivateconvert function, return to top level, clear help screen HELP On screenhelp about tbe CNR mode or convert function

The next function is HUM as shown in FIG. 8B and in the following Table8. In response to the spoken command “hum”, the system automaticallyswitches between 50 Hz mode in function block 342 or 60 Hz mode infunction block 344, depending on the detected power line frequency. Ineither mode, the system responds to the spoken commands of “50” (“or“60”), “100” (or “200”) and “all”. A “help” command results in thedisplay of a help screen about the HUM function. Clearing of the helpscreen is accomplished by the spoken command “back”. A return to the toplevel word line 322 is made in response to the spoken command “back”.

TABLE 8 HUM Function Commands Command Function HUM Activate HUM mode,initiate measurement 50 Enable 50 Hz measurement (if sync is 50 Hz),disable 100, all 100 Enable 50 Hz measurement (if sync is 50 Hz),disable 50, all 60 Enable 60 Hz measurement (if sync is 60 Hz), disable120, all 120 Enable 120 Hz measurement (if sync is 60 Hz), disable 60,all ALL Enable all frequency measurement, disable 50, 100, 60,120 BACKEnable all frequency, deactivate HUM mode, return to top level, clearhelp screen HELP On screen help about the HUM mode

The next function is SPEAKER as shown in FIG. 8B and in the followingTable 9. The system then responds to the commands to select either“audio” or “video”, and thereafter to the commands “up” and “down” tonavigate and to “off” to deactivate speaker mode and enable sweep beforereturning to top level word line 322. A “help” command results in thedisplay of a help screen about the SPEAKER function. Clearing of thehelp screen is accomplished by the spoken command “back”. A return tothe top level word line 322 is made in response to the spoken command“back”.

TABLE 9 Speaker Function Commands Command Function SPEAKER Activatespeaker mode, disable sweep, loudness at 2 (1-15) AUDIO Select TV audiocarrier, not available on digi, data or fm VIDEO Select TV videocarrier, not available on digi, data or fm Up Increase loudness 1increment DOWN Decrease loudness 1 increment OFF Deactivate speakermode, enable sweep, return to top level BACK Speaker mode active,disable sweep, return to top level, clear help screen HELP On screenhelp about the speaker mode

There are three other functions shown in FIGS. 8D and 9 to which thespeech recognition system responds from the top level word line 322.These functions are invoked by the spoken commands “level”, “help” and“store”. In response to the spoken command “level”, a readout is toggledin function block 346, and a return is made to the operational levelword line 322.

The “help” command results in the display of a help screen about theoperational level; that is a description of the various functions thatmay be accessed from the operational level word line 322. Clearing ofthe help screen is accomplished by the spoken word “back”.

The other function invoked by a spoken command is the STORE function,which is illustrated in FIG. 9 and summarized in Table 10. This commandis used for storing measured data that may later be downloaded to acentral data storage for analysis. In response to the “store” command,the system first checks the sweep mode in function block 350 todetermine if in the hyperzoom mode. If in hyperzoom mode, the data to bestored is the fill sweep and all increments of the hyperzoom display inblock 352. If not in hyperzoom mode, the data to be stored is the fullsweep mode of the current channel plan in block 354. In either case, thesystem then enters the auto-store measurement to the clipboard infunction block 356.

Next, the system prompts the user to select from several displayed iconsa name for the measurement to be stored. The user navigates among theseveral icons with the spoken commands “up” and “down”. When the desiredicon is highlighted, the user then speaks the command “store” again and,in response, the system appends a sequence file identifier to themeasured data in function block 358 and names the current clipboard filein function block 360 according to the selected icon.

Then, the system clears the store display in function block 362 andreturns to the previous display mode in function block 364. If duringthe store command routine and before speaking the command “store” forthe second time the user were to decide not to store the data in thecurrent clipboard file, the user need only to speak the command “back”and a return is made in function block 366 to the previous display mode.The “help” command is available from any point in the store mode andresults in the display of a help screen 368 about the STORE function.Clearing of the help screen in function block 370 is accomplished by thespoken command “back”.

TABLE 10 Store Function Commands Command Function STORE Activate storemode UP Increment file type selection up one line in list DOWN Decrementfile type selection down one line in list STORE Store data as selectedfile type with auto extension, return to main display BACK Exit storemode, no data saved, exit help screen HELP On screen help about thestore mode

Speech synthesize responses/messages from the system to the user includethe following:

PLEASE SPEAK LOUDER (below speech recognition threshold)

PLEASE REPEAT (confidence level below a predetermined level)

PLEASE MAKE SELECTION (when a selection is needed to continue)

PLEASE VERIFY USER (after a predetermined number of recognition errors)

WARNING, LOW BATTERY

WARNING, DISPLAY TIME OUT (power management active)

WARNING, POWER SHUT DOWN IN ONE MINUTE (power management active)

WELCOME (power on message)

CALIBRATION NOW DUE (on power up after recalibration date)

FREE MEMORY IS LOW (during file operations)

These messages are synthesized by the speech recognition and speechsynthesis chip under the control of the CPU. These messages aretransmitted to the earphone (or speaker).

A (key) feature of the invention is the display screen displayed to thetechnician on the display device. This display device uses a graphicaluser interface (GUI) which, under speech command, allows the user tonavigate and select functions. In addition, digitized signalmeasurements are displayed in a window on the display screen for viewingby the technician.

Each startup operation results in an optional “Welcome” screen (notshown). This screen is followed by a single measurement screen, anexample of which is shown in FIG. 4. This screen is specificallydesigned for use in a signal level meter for measurement of RF signalsin a cable television plant.

At the top of the screen illustrated in FIG. 4 is a header that includesseveral display/activator buttons. In the top center of this screen, aselect channel/frequency display/activator button 300 is displayed. Thisregion displays, and allows the selection of, the channel number offrequency. The channel number is displayed as an alpha numeric indicia,while the frequency is displayed as a numeric indicia.

Below and to the left of the display/activator button 300 is a videodisplay/activator button 302 that displays video level of the selectedchannel/frequency. This screen component has both activator and speechrecognition functions. FIG. 10A shows the relation of the video leveldisplay and the spoken command word “level”.

Below and to the right of the display/activator button 300 is an audiolevel display/activator button 304 that displays the audio level of theselected channel/frequency. This screen component has display onlyfunction. FIG. 10B shows the audio level display and its content.

The right audio speaker icon 306 provides activation of frequencymodulated (FM) detected primary audio of the selected channel/frequencythrough the speaker. This screen component has both activator and speechrecognition functions. FIG. 10C shows the relation of the right audiohorn icon and the spoken command word “speaker”.

The left audio speaker icon 308 provides activation for a secondarycarrier (i.e., synch buzz, dig noise). This screen component has bothactivator and speech recognition functions. FIG. 10D shows the relationof the left audio horn icon and the spoken command word “speaker”.

To the left of the left audio speaker icon 308 is a time and datedisplay/activator button 310. This display/activator button displays andallows adjustment of the time and date. This screen component has anactivator function but no speech recognition function. FIG. 10E showsthe relation of the time and date activator button to its function.

Opposite the time and date activator button 310, and to the right of theright audio speaker icon 306, is a temperature display/activator button312 that also incorporates an indication of the power remaining, i.e.,battery level. This display/activator button displays temperature(default is degrees Fahrenheit) and allows adjustment of the temperatureunit of measure. This screen component has an activator function but nospeech recognition function. FIG. 10F shows the relation of thetemperature activator button to its function. In addition, thedisplay/activator button 312 displays power remaining as a percentage ofa full battery charge.

Just above the temperature display/activator button 312 is a HUMdisplay/activator button 314 that displays the calculated HUMmeasurement. This screen component has both activator and speechrecognition functions. FIG 10G shows the relation of the HUM display andthe spoken command word “hum”.

Just above the HUM button 314 is a CNR display/activator button 314 thatdisplays the current measurement value. This screen component has bothactivator and speech recognition functions. FIG. 10H shows the relationof the carrier to noise ratio display and spoken command word “CNR”.

Opposite the CNR button, on the left side of the display is a Test Point(TP) offset display/activator 318 that displays a measurementcompensation value. This screen component has both activator and speechrecognition functions. FIG. 10I shows the relation of the test pointoffset display and the spoken command word “test point”.

Just below the test point button 318 is a comparative analysisdisplay/activator (CAD) button 320 that displays the followingmeasurements:

(a) HI-LO—the difference between the high “pilot” carrier and the low“pilot” carrier.

(b) TILT—a graphic representation of the level difference between thehigh “pilot” carrier and the low “pilot” carrier.

(c) P/V (Peak to Valley)—the difference between the highest carrier andthe lowest carrier.

(d) MAX-MIN—the difference between the highest level carrier and thelowest level carrier.

This screen component has both activator and speech recognitionfunctions. FIG. 10J shows the relation of the comparative analysisdisplay and the spoken command word “CAD”.

Completing this header display is a video minus audio (V−A) display 322.This screen component has a display only function. FIG. 10K shows thecontent of the display.

The main measurement display 330 provides a graphic interpretation ofthe measurement spectrum, in this case a sampled spectrum as describedin more detail in Braun et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,065, which isassigned to the assignee of the present application. Below the mainmeasurement display window 330 are a tune slider 332 and a zoom slider334. These screen components both have activator and speech recognitionfunctions. FIGS. 10K and 10L, respectively, show the relation of thetune slider and the zoom slider and the spoken command words “tune” and“zoom”.

To the left of the main measurement display window 330 are a scalingslider 336 and a range slider 338. These screen components both haveactivator and speech recognition functions. FIGS. 10M and 10N,respectively, show the relation of the scale slider and the range sliderand the spoken command words “scale” and “range”.

To the right of the main measurement display windows 330 are severalicons. The first icon is a logo icon 340 that incorporates a facsimileof a globe that is displayed as spinning when the unit is powered on andserves as a gateway to (a) user help, (b) user manual, (c) guided tour,(d) cable calculator, (e) “get info”. This screen component has only anactivator function. FIG. 10O shows the relation of the logo icon to theactivities that may be accessed.

Next is the store icon 342 that serves as a gateway to the storemeasurement function. This screen component has activator and speechrecognition functions. FIG. 10P shows the relation of the store icon andthe spoken command word “store”.

Below the store icon is a toolbox icon 344 and a delta icon 346. Thesescreen components both have only activator function. The toolbox icon344 provides access to configuration, file manager and displayfunctions. The delta icon 346 provides access to a delta measurementfunction.

While the invention have been described with respect to RF measurementsfor cable television, a person of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that there are many other measurements of electrical signalsthat must be done in the communications industry that would benefit formthe hands-free speech recognition operation provided by the generalprinciples of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless signal measurement apparatus forpermitting one user to adjust components of a communication system, theapparatus comprising: a source device adapted to measure signals fromthe communication system and to generate output data corresponding tothe measured signals; an unmanned base station operatively coupled tothe source device, the base station configured to convert the outputdata into an output data transmission signal and to transmit said outputdata transmission signal; a remote system operatively coupled to saidone user, the remote system configured to receive the output datatransmission signal and convert the output data transmission signal soas to provide said one user with data corresponding to the output data;the remote system configured to transmit commands issued by the user,said commands received by the unmanned base station, the base stationproviding commands to the source device to control operation thereof;and wherein the remote system permits said one user and only said oneuser to adjust components of the communication system and receiveinformation remotely from the unmanned base station as to the efficacyof the adjustments made to the communication system.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the base station includes a user interface adapted toreceive the commands issued by the user and convert the commands intosignals recognized by the source device for controlling operation of thesource device.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the remote systemincludes a visual display device.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 whereinthe remote system includes an audio input device.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the visual display device is attached to a hard hat. 6.The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the visual display device isoperatively connected to a headpiece.
 7. The apparatus of claim 3wherein the visual display device is selected from the group consistingof an LCD display, LED display, plasma display, CRT display, phosphor ongate array, electro-luminescent display and holographic display.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the remote system includes an audio inputdevice operatively connected to a headpiece for generating commandsignals to provide commands to control the source device.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein the remote system includes computer cursorcontrol system configured to control a position of a cursor displayed onthe visual display device.
 10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein thevisual display device is configured to be worn on the user's torso. 11.The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the visual display device and the audioinput device are carried in a carrying case having a covering portionsuch that when the covering portion is removed, the visual displaydevice is visible to the user.
 12. A wireless signal measurementapparatus for permitting one user to adjust components of acommunication system, the apparatus comprising: a source device adaptedto measure signals from the communication system and to generate outputdata corresponding to the measured signals; an unmanned base stationoperatively coupled to the source device, the base station configured toconvert the output data into an output data transmission signal andtransmit said output data transmission signal; a remote systemoperatively coupled to said one user, the remote system configured toreceive the output data transmission signal and convert the output datatransmission signal so as to provide said one user with datacorresponding to the output data; and wherein the remote system permitssaid one user and only said one user to adjust components of thecommunication system and receive formation remotely from the unmannedbase station as to the efficacy of the adjustments made to thecommunication system.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the remotesystem includes a visual display.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 whereinthe remote system includes an audio input device.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein the visual display is attached to a hard hat.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 13 wherein the visual display is operativelyconnected to a headpiece.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein thevisual display is selected from the group consisting of an LCD display,LED display, plasma display, CRT display, phosphor on gate array,electro-luminescent display and holographic display.
 18. The apparatusof claim 12 wherein the remote system includes an audio input deviceoperatively connected to a headpiece for generating command signals toprovide commands to control the source device.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein the remote system includes a receiver and a remotesystem antenna for receiving the output data transmission signal. 20.The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the remote system includes atransmitter for transmitting commands to the base station, said commandsissued by the user for controlling operation of the source device. 21.The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the base station includes a speechrecognize adapted to accept spoken commands transmitted from the remotesystem, and for converting the spoken comments into signals to controlthe source device.
 22. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the basestation includes a transmitter and a base antenna for transmitting theoutput data transmission signal.
 23. The apparatus of claim 12 whereinthe base station includes a receiver and a base antenna, configured toreceive commands from the remote system.
 24. A method for permitting oneuser to adjust components of a communication system and to remotelyreceive measured parameters of the communication system, the methodcomprising the steps of: measuring signals from the communication systemwith a source device, the source device adapted to generate output datacorresponding to the measured signals; operatively coupling the sourcedevice to an unmanned base station, the base station configured toconvert the output data into an output data transmission signal;transmitting said output data transmission signal by the base station;operatively coupling a remote system to said one user, the remote systemconfigured to receive the output data transmission signal; andconverting the output data transmission signal by the remote system, soas to provide said one user with data corresponding to the output data,wherein the remote system permits said one user and only said one userto adjust components of the communication system and to receiveinformation remotely from the unmanned base station as to the efficacyof the adjustments made to the communication system.